Obama calls Commerce Secretary Bryson

President Obama spoke with Commerce Secretary John Bryson on Tuesday for the first time since Bryson was involved in multiple car accidents in California this past Saturday.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama called Bryson to offer his encouragement after the cabinet official suffered from some size of seizure that contributed to the accidents.

In the short conversation, the president encouraged Bryson to, "focus his thoughts on his own health, on his own family." This comes after the commerce secretary informed the White House last night that he would be taking a medical leave of absence from his position.

There is currently no timetable for the secretary’s return to his post and, in his absence, Deputy Secretary Dr. Rebecca Blank will act as the secretary of commerce.